10 Sneaky ways to instantly gain extra counter space

10 Sneaky ways to instantly gain extra counter space

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10 Sneaky ways to instantly gain extra counter space

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Take Advantage of an Unused StovetopAs long as you make sure the burners are off (seriously), you can totally reclaim the dead space on your stovetop. Cover it with custom-sized cutting boards to create a second prep zone when you have a sous chef helping you make dinner.Get the tutorial at The Kitchn »

PHOTO: Corelyn Coates & Jennie Palluzzi

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Add Another LevelIf you feel strongly about keeping all of your most-frequently-used items out and visible (instead of stashed behind cabinet doors) but don't have counter space to waste, add a level of shelves on your backsplash to store those items.See more at The House Diaries »

PHOTO: The House Diaries

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Double Up Where You CanSince the first thing you do after you chop up veggies is discard the stems and inedible parts, save time (and space) by adding a trash chute above your garbage to push those pieces through. Then wipe off the cutting board and tuck it away when you're done.

PHOTO: Nathan Schroder

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Fold Down a Bonus ShelfWhile you may not need a cookbook or drink holder every night, not having it when you do need it is a real fun buster. Here, a shelf folds down to hold essentials and frees space for chopping and dicing.See more at Apartment Therapy »

PHOTO: Adrienne Breaux

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Banish Utensil Jars for GoodReal talk: You only use one (or two, tops) utensils at a time, so why let your entire collection eat up valuable countertop space? Instead, hang your favorites from a nearby cabinet door.See more at Jenna Burger Design »

PHOTO: Jenna Burger Design

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Lift Up Your Kitchen EssentialsWe'd never make you tuck your coffee maker out of sight if you don't want to (mornings are rough enough as is). But by lifting your MVPs up a level, you clear your counters for meal prep without having to make any sacrifices. See more at The Chronicles of Home »

PHOTO: The Chronicles of Home?

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Try a Moveable Island ExtensionWhile you might not want to block your kitchen with a bulky island at all times, a unit on wheels gives you flexibility when you need it most ? like prepping for a big Sunday night dinner!Get the tutorial at Oliver and Rust »

PHOTO: Oliver and Rust

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Don't Forget About Your BacksplashThis quiet space often goes unnoticed (except if you have some snazzy tile). But in this kitchen, baskets line the typically empty space and offer storage for olive oil, baking essentials, and even a perky plant.Get the tutorial at No. 29 Design »

PHOTO: No. 29 Design

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Opt for a Smart Drying RackWe know, your plates have to dry somewhere. But whoever thinks they need to take up a chunk of valuable counter space to do so is missing out. This nifty rack fits into a nook between cabinets and keeps wet plates out of the way.Get the tutorial at Instructables »

PHOTO: Instructables?

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Use Your Sink for More Than WaterThis wooden cutting board fits snugly on top of one side of your sink (while the other half remains open in case someone needs some H2O) and is especially handy if you have a wide sink that takes up more than half of the counter area (like this one!).See more at Sweet Verbena »

Take Advantage of an Unused StovetopAs long as you make sure the burners are off (seriously), you can totally reclaim the dead space on your stovetop. Cover it with custom-sized cutting boards to create a second prep zone when you have a sous chef helping you make dinner.Get the tutorial at The Kitchn »

PHOTO: Corelyn Coates & Jennie Palluzzi

Add Another LevelIf you feel strongly about keeping all of your most-frequently-used items out and visible (instead of stashed behind cabinet doors) but don't have counter space to waste, add a level of shelves on your backsplash to store those items.See more at The House Diaries »

PHOTO: The House Diaries

Double Up Where You CanSince the first thing you do after you chop up veggies is discard the stems and inedible parts, save time (and space) by adding a trash chute above your garbage to push those pieces through. Then wipe off the cutting board and tuck it away when you're done.

PHOTO: Nathan Schroder

Fold Down a Bonus ShelfWhile you may not need a cookbook or drink holder every night, not having it when you do need it is a real fun buster. Here, a shelf folds down to hold essentials and frees space for chopping and dicing.See more at Apartment Therapy »

PHOTO: Adrienne Breaux

Banish Utensil Jars for GoodReal talk: You only use one (or two, tops) utensils at a time, so why let your entire collection eat up valuable countertop space? Instead, hang your favorites from a nearby cabinet door.See more at Jenna Burger Design »

PHOTO: Jenna Burger Design

Lift Up Your Kitchen EssentialsWe'd never make you tuck your coffee maker out of sight if you don't want to (mornings are rough enough as is). But by lifting your MVPs up a level, you clear your counters for meal prep without having to make any sacrifices. See more at The Chronicles of Home »

PHOTO: The Chronicles of Home?

Try a Moveable Island ExtensionWhile you might not want to block your kitchen with a bulky island at all times, a unit on wheels gives you flexibility when you need it most ? like prepping for a big Sunday night dinner!Get the tutorial at Oliver and Rust »

PHOTO: Oliver and Rust

Don't Forget About Your BacksplashThis quiet space often goes unnoticed (except if you have some snazzy tile). But in this kitchen, baskets line the typically empty space and offer storage for olive oil, baking essentials, and even a perky plant.Get the tutorial at No. 29 Design »

PHOTO: No. 29 Design

Opt for a Smart Drying RackWe know, your plates have to dry somewhere. But whoever thinks they need to take up a chunk of valuable counter space to do so is missing out. This nifty rack fits into a nook between cabinets and keeps wet plates out of the way.Get the tutorial at Instructables »

PHOTO: Instructables?

Use Your Sink for More Than WaterThis wooden cutting board fits snugly on top of one side of your sink (while the other half remains open in case someone needs some H2O) and is especially handy if you have a wide sink that takes up more than half of the counter area (like this one!).See more at Sweet Verbena »

Take Advantage of an Unused StovetopAs long as you make sure the burners are off (seriously), you can totally reclaim the dead space on your stovetop. Cover it with custom-sized cutting boards to create a second prep zone when you have a sous chef helping you make dinner.Get the tutorial at The Kitchn »

PHOTO: Corelyn Coates & Jennie Palluzzi

Add Another LevelIf you feel strongly about keeping all of your most-frequently-used items out and visible (instead of stashed behind cabinet doors) but don't have counter space to waste, add a level of shelves on your backsplash to store those items.See more at The House Diaries »

PHOTO: The House Diaries

Double Up Where You CanSince the first thing you do after you chop up veggies is discard the stems and inedible parts, save time (and space) by adding a trash chute above your garbage to push those pieces through. Then wipe off the cutting board and tuck it away when you're done.

PHOTO: Nathan Schroder

Fold Down a Bonus ShelfWhile you may not need a cookbook or drink holder every night, not having it when you do need it is a real fun buster. Here, a shelf folds down to hold essentials and frees space for chopping and dicing.See more at Apartment Therapy »

PHOTO: Adrienne Breaux

Banish Utensil Jars for GoodReal talk: You only use one (or two, tops) utensils at a time, so why let your entire collection eat up valuable countertop space? Instead, hang your favorites from a nearby cabinet door.See more at Jenna Burger Design »

PHOTO: Jenna Burger Design

Lift Up Your Kitchen EssentialsWe'd never make you tuck your coffee maker out of sight if you don't want to (mornings are rough enough as is). But by lifting your MVPs up a level, you clear your counters for meal prep without having to make any sacrifices. See more at The Chronicles of Home »

PHOTO: The Chronicles of Home?

Try a Moveable Island ExtensionWhile you might not want to block your kitchen with a bulky island at all times, a unit on wheels gives you flexibility when you need it most ? like prepping for a big Sunday night dinner!Get the tutorial at Oliver and Rust »

PHOTO: Oliver and Rust

Don't Forget About Your BacksplashThis quiet space often goes unnoticed (except if you have some snazzy tile). But in this kitchen, baskets line the typically empty space and offer storage for olive oil, baking essentials, and even a perky plant.Get the tutorial at No. 29 Design »

PHOTO: No. 29 Design

Opt for a Smart Drying RackWe know, your plates have to dry somewhere. But whoever thinks they need to take up a chunk of valuable counter space to do so is missing out. This nifty rack fits into a nook between cabinets and keeps wet plates out of the way.Get the tutorial at Instructables »

PHOTO: Instructables?

Use Your Sink for More Than WaterThis wooden cutting board fits snugly on top of one side of your sink (while the other half remains open in case someone needs some H2O) and is especially handy if you have a wide sink that takes up more than half of the counter area (like this one!).See more at Sweet Verbena »